7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class

Men's Health

Mon, March 20, 2017 at 9:56 PM UTC

7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class — What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words "spin class"? One is probably "loud music." Another might be "choreographed pedaling." A third may be "that thing my girlfriend/wife does on Saturday mornings." And the most likely of all, your immediate response when you hear "spin class " is a very abrupt "HELL NO."
Why though? Not manly enough? Too easy? You're wrong. There's a reason it's been one of the most popular group workout classes in the world for years now, and there is an increasing number of guys clipping in. While some of the rumors might deter you (They're joking when they say it's kind of like a cult, right?) there's no denying it's a killer cardio workout that will leave you drenched in sweat while torching fat and building cardio capacity. And, to be honest, if you're really pushing yourself, it will be the hardest workout you've done in long time.
Bottom line, if you haven't tried out a spin class before, here are seven reasons why you should man up and sign up.
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1. You'll scorch calories — Spin classes are usually 45 or 60 minutes long. Guess how many of those minutes are spent doing hard-core intervals on the bike, from hills to sprints to hill-sprints? All of them. Your heart rate is going to be jacked the whole time— a recipe for fat-burning.
For another challenging and intense workout sure to torch calories, check out *Maximus Body*.
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2. It gives your joints a break — Spinning takes a lot of pressure off of your knees and ankles while not sacrificing intensity, giving the workout another point in the pro category. This is especially good for guys dealing with injury who are trying to not lose any fitness and for guys with joint problems who are looking to build fitness.
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3. The music is great — Another spin stereotype is the music is not good and is usually too loud. Truth is, most spin classes do a really good job of providing variety in their music, and if they DO have a music theme, make sure and advertise it. So if Madonna isn't your thing, don't make a class titled, "Ladies of the 80s" the first class you try. Most classes have a little something for everyone.
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4. It can be great for meeting badass women — As a dude, you will definitely be in the gender minority... but is that really such a bad thing? While it's a horrible idea to try to talk to anyone *during* class, there's certainly ample opportunity before and after to talk to your fellow female spinners, many of whom put up seriously impressive numbers and just may out-cycle you. Chat away, but don't do any of these things.
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5. It's more than a cardio workout— just ask your abs and arms after — Spin classes are not anything like that half hour you spend on the bike for your mandatory bout of cardio in the gym. You have to keep your core engaged the entire class just to stay upright on the bike— and instructors won't let you forget it. You're also constantly standing up in your seat, which engages your core and glutes even more. A lot of classes even incorporate some weighted resistance.
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6. You'll work way harder than you would solo — Are you seriously going to make yourself sprint on a bike with the resistance cranked up as high as you can stand it by yourself? Odds are no. Group exercise makes you work harder than you would alone, partially because the instructor won't let you slack off and partially because you'll be motivated by other people in the class working hard. To the former point, spin instructors can be particularly motivating and creative. Like this guy.
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7. There's a lot of variety in studios — Trying out one spin class, hating it and never spinning again is lame, especially because there is such a huge variety of studios. Some, like SoulCycle, incorporate choreography to their workouts. Other classes utilize different types of resistance training throughout the class, like Cyc. FlyWheel gives real-time data that puts you in competition against other people in the class based on your power output.
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7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class

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What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words "spin class"? One is probably "loud music." Another might be "choreographed pedaling." A third may be "that thing my girlfriend/wife does on Saturday mornings." And the most likely of all, your immediate response when you hear "spin class " is a very abrupt "HELL NO."

Why though? Not manly enough? Too easy? You're wrong. There's a reason it's been one of the most popular group workout classes in the world for years now, and there is an increasing number of guys clipping in. While some of the rumors might deter you (They're joking when they say it's kind of like a cult, right?) there's no denying it's a killer cardio workout that will leave you drenched in sweat while torching fat and building cardio capacity. And, to be honest, if you're really pushing yourself, it will be the hardest workout you've done in long time.

Bottom line, if you haven't tried out a spin class before, here are seven reasons why you should man up and sign up.

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7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class

7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class

7 Reasons You Need To Try A Spin Class

1. You'll scorch calories

2. It gives your joints a break

3. The music is great

4. It can be great for meeting badass women

5. It's more than a cardio workout— just ask your abs and arms after

6. You'll work way harder than you would solo

7. There's a lot of variety in studios

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